Suspension bunker



Sept. 16, 1930. F 1,775,656

SUSPENSION BUNKER Filed April 22, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 16, 1930.D, M, FF- 7 1,775,656

SUSPENSION BUNKER Filed April 22, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z1 iiiw ze ySept. 16, 1930. D. M.'R|FF SUSPENSION BUNKER Filed April 22,1929 4Sheets-Sheet 3 id? iiz w'vze g,

Sept; 16, 1930. D. M. m

SUSPENSION BUNKER Filed April 22,1929 {Sheets-Sheet; 4

fife/afar. 4 wk (11.

Patented Sept. 16, 1930 PATENT @FFICE DAVID M. REEF, OF TEBRE HAUTE,INDIANA SUSPENSION BUNKER Application filed April 22,

This invention relates to a suspension bunker and more particularly to abin or bunker of the kind adapted for the storage and discharge of coal,grain, sand, building material, etc. An object of the invention is theprovision of a bunker of this general type constructed of a frame-workand having the body composed of pre-cast blocks or slabs.

. A further object is the provision of blocks of distinctive formationto provide the interior surface of the bunker, whereby there is formedan overlap between the margin of each block and the margin of theadjacent block to prevent seepage of material through the joints. n

A further object is the provision of im proved means for maintainingblocks in surface alignment and securing the blocks to the frame-work ofthe bunker. V

By the improved construction, when a particular block becomes damaged orbroken, it may be readily replaced with a substitute block of the samesize and contour without necessitating costly delayand expensive repair,in which resides an additional'object of the invention. p

By the improved construction, an additional object is to provide abunker which will eflectively resist corrosion or destructive aotionbecause of elements contained in the material stored.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

' The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of partshereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the construction; v i

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 22of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed perspective taken substantially on theline 3-3 of Fig. 1;

46 Fig. 4 is a perspective of a construction slightly modified to thatshown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged'detailed perspective taken substantially on theline 55 of 4:;

Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective showing the preferred method ofconnecting a cross re- 1929. Serial No. 356,912.

inforcingmember with the upper surface of the side girder in theconstruction shown in F 4:;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectionalview taken substantially on the line 77of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the body of the bunker of the formshown in Figs. 1 and 1; r l

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of the end portion takensubstantially on the line 99 of Fig. 1; v v I Fig; 10 is an enlargeddetailed perspective iiaken substantially on the line 10-10 of Fig. 11is an enlarged perspective taken substantially onthe line 11-11 of Fig.4;

Fig. 12 is a detailed view of a modified form at the intersectionbetween the cross-. ing angle iron support for the blocks and thevertical frame-work support;

Figp13 is a sectional View ofa modified form of bunker which isgenerally rectangular in horizontal outline, and in which the side wallsare inclinedfiat surfaces instead of curved as shown in Figs. 1 and 4;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional view of the hopper discharge gate takensubstantially on the line let-1410f Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 is a similar view to Fig. 1 1 buttaken at right angles theretoof the hopper discharge gate in the structure shown in Figs. land 4. I

The forms shown in Figs. 1 and 4 preferably substantially parabolic incross-sectional outline in order to limit stresses on the supportingstraps to tensile stresses which renders this shape more economical. Thebunker frame-work is supported by a plurality of vertically extendingcolumns'18, each of which may be formed of angle irons se 9 cured to aconnecting plate as shown in Fig.

10. Columns 18 are shown broken off in Figs.

1 and 1 but may be of any desired length to maintain the bunker at asuitable elevation. The upper frame-work of the bunker comprises sidegirders 19 and 20 and cross-girders 21 and 22. These girders arepreferably com-' posed. of a plurality of connected angle irons orchannel members as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and, may also be reinforcedby additional 100 plates 23 to add strength to the upper framework. Theframe-work is preferably composed of structural steel parts and thevarious members of the frame-work may be suitably secured together,either by riveting, welding or by bolts, the latter method permittingthe structure to be dismantled and erected any number of times. The formshown in Fig. l is equipped with vertical supports 24 extending betweenthe horizontal members 25, and an intermediate cross-member 26 isprefer-- ably provided. It will be noted that the structure of theframe-work is slightly modified in Fig. 4 in that the vertical supports24 are dispensed with, there being a plurality of horizontally extendingconnecting members 27, and the rigidity of the supporting frame ismaintained by diagonal braces 28. as well as diagonal tie rods 29. Also,in this form, strength and rigidity is added by upper cross-members 30each of which may be composed of a pair of channel irons arranged asshown in Fig. 6, and suitably connected to the side girders by means ofan angle plate 31. It will be noted that in both the forms shown inFigs. 1 and 4 the side girders 19 and 20 are equipped with reinforcingribs 32, and in the form shown in Fig. 1 the end girders 21 and 22 aresimilarly reinforced. Diagonal braces 28 may be attached to the verticalcolumns and the cross-members by means of gusset plates 83.

At suitably spaced intervals, longitudinal of the structure, a pluralityof transversely extending metal straps 34 are-provided. In the formsshown in Figs. 1 and 4 each strap is curved to conform to thesubstantially parabolic shape as shown in Fig. 8, .and each strap issuitably secured to girders 19 and 20 so as to form a continuation ofthe inclined inner surface thereof, as shown in Fig. 8. Thus, thecolumns, girders, braces, supports and straps above described constitutea comparatively light yet strong frame-work for the suspension of thebody of the bunker. This body is composed of a plurality of side walland bottom blocks 35 and end blocks 86, each cast or molded to conformto the size an d shape in accordance with the position in the bunker.The blocks 35 and 36 are preferably of reinforced concrete, and in thecasting, a reinforcing of metal mesh or expanded metal lathing may beemployed to advantage, although it is to be understood that compositionis not necessarily limited to reinforced concrete blocks, but may bemade of any other plastic material which when allowed to harden wouldform a structural block capable of sustaining loads superimposedthereon. Except for the upper edge of the top tier O'l blocks, themarginal edge of each block is formed to provide an overlap with themarginal edge of the next adjacent block, both in the side and endconstruction. As shown in Fig. 7, the vertical joint between abuttingblocks is preferably of dovetail or interlocking construction, themarginal projection 37 forming an extension of the inner surface 38 ofthe block formed to diverge from the body of the block for interlockingengagement with the marginal extension 39 of the outer surface of thenext adjacent block. Each block is of a dimension to span the distancebetween the adjacent pair of straps 34, so that the line of joint willregister with a strap, as shown in F ig. 7, and in the casting process arecess is preferably formed upon the side of the block that is toconstitute the outer surface so that the suspending strap 34 may beembedded or countersunk in place. The horizontal joints between theblocks, as shown in Figs. 5 and 8, for example, are not necessarily ofthe interlocking construction, but preferably the lower edge upon theinner surface is formed to overlap the top edge of the next adjacentblock beneath, as shown. During the casting process, each block has casttherein, preferably adjacent the lower corner at the edge having theinner surface overlap as shown in Fig. 7, a bolt or threaded rod 40, thethreaded portion of which is adapted to project upon the outer surfaceto receive a plate or keeper 41 held in place by nut 42. Plate 41 thenengages the adjacent strap By this construction, when nut 42 is screwedin place, the interlocking construction of the vertical joint willresist spreading or separ tion of abutting blocks. Vhen necessary orpreferred, a plurality of bolts or threaded rods 40 may be cast in asingle block and ad ditional plates 4-1 engaged by additional nuts 42for each block.

End blocks 36 are similarly formed except that in the preferredembodiment illustrated they are flat rather than curved, and in castingthe size and shape is determined by the curvature of the side and bodyof the bunker, and the position of either the vertical supportingmembers 24, as shown in Fig. 1, or the horizontal supporting members 27as shown in Fig. 4, whereby the line of abutment between two adjacentblocks will register with a vertical supporting member 24-, or ahorizontal supporting member 27 as the case may be. Members 24 and 27are preferably of I-beam or angle iron construction, providing a flangecontacting with the outer surface of the blocks and each end block maybe maintained in place by a plate 43 corresponding to plate 41 of theside wall blocks. The top margin of the upper tier of blocks ispreferably disposed within a depending flange 44 of a channel memberforming part of the side or end girder. At the joint between the sideand bottom blocks and the end blocks there is preferably provided acurved angle iron 45, one flange of which engages the outer edge of theadjacent margins on the end blocks, and the other flange en ages theadjacent side and bottom block margins. Discharge gates 46 are mountedas required, through which deposited materiai is adapted to bedischarged by gravity and any preferred form of gate closing mechanism47 may be adopted.

In the bunker body construction shown in Fig. 13, the same novelarrangement is followed and adapted for use in connection with flatinclined side walls rather than curved walls. In either the modifiedform shown in Fig. 13 or other modified constructions to I suitdifii'erent purposes for which the bunker is intended, the necessarychanges in the supporting frame-work are made. The substantiallyparabolic cross-sectional formation is preferred for general use in viewout the equalizing distribution of stresses which results in the mosteconomical steel framing, as well as adding to the capacity-andthe lifeof the structure. When it becomes necessary, for any reason, to replacea block, plate 41 is removed from the block, and nut i2 on each adjacentblock loosened sufiiciently to enabie removal whereupon a block of thesame formation is substituted. This results in a great saving of timeand expense, and it will also be noted that the blocks constituting thebunker body, are not in the form of a blllliel lining but rathercomprise the entire body, supported only by a skeleton frame work.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form ofconstruction for carrying my invention into efiect, this is capable ofvariation and modification without departing from the spirit of theinvention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precisedetails of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of suchvariations and modifications as come within the scope of the ap pendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is p 1. In a suspension bunker, the combinationof a frame-work, a plurality of spaced block supporting members carriedby said framework, a plurality of concrete blocks supported by saidspaced supporting members and forming the body of the bunker, thecontacting edges 01 said blocks adapted to overlap, and a. projectioncast in each block for attachment to an adjacent block supportingmember.

2. In a suspension bunker, the combination of a frame-work, a pluralityof spaced block supporting members carried by said framework, aplurality of concrete blocks supported by said spaced supporting membersand forming the body of the bunker, the contacting edges of said blocksadapted to overlap at the horizontal joints and adapted to overlap andinterlock at the vertical joints, and a projection cast in each blockfor attachment to an adjacent block supporting member, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a suspension bunker, the combination of a frame-work, a pluralityof spaced block supporting members carried by said framework, aplurality of concrete blockssupported by said spaced supporting membersand forming the body of the bunker, the meeting edges of said blocksadapted to register with said spaced supporting members, the contactingedges of said blocks adapted to overlap at the horizontal joints andadapted to overlap and interlock at the vertical joints, and a projection cast in each block for attachment to an adjacent block supportingmember, substantially as described.

4. In a suspension bunker, the combination of a frame-work, a pluralityof spaced block supporting members carried by said framework, and aplurality of concrete blocks supported by said spaced supporting membersand forming thebody of the bunker, the contacting edges of said blocksadapted to overlap, a threaded projection cast in each block, and akeeper plate adapted to engage said threaded projection and a blocksupporting member, substantially as described.

5. In a suspension bunker, the combination of a frame-work, a pluralityof spaced block supporting members carried by said framework, and aplurality of concrete blocks supported by said spaced supporting membersand forming the body of the bunker, the con tacting edges of said blocksadapted to overlap at the horizontal joints and adapted to overlap andinterlock at the vertical joints, a threaded projection cast in eachblock, and a keeper plate adapted to engage said threaded projection anda block supporting member, substantially as described.

6. In a suspension bunker, the combination of a framework, a pluralityof spaced block supporting members carried by said framework, and aplurality of concrete blocks supported by said spaced supporting membersand forming the body of the bunker, the meeting edges of said blocksadapted to register with said spaced supporting members, the contactingedges of said blocks adapted to overlap at the horizontal joints andadapted to overlap and interlock at the vertical joints, a threadedprojection cast in each block, and a keeper plate adapted to engage saidthreaded projection and a block supporting member, substantially asdescribed.

7. In a suspension bunker, the combination of a frame-work, a pluralityof spaced block supporting members carried by said framework, and aplurality of concrete blocks supported by said spaced supporting membersand forming the body of the bunker, the contacting edges ofsaid blocksadapted to overlap at the horizontal joints and adapted .to overlap andinterlock at the vertical joints, a threaded projection cast in eachblock, and a keeper plate having an opening for engagement by saidprojection and adapted to engage an adjacent block' supporting member,substantially as described.

. 8. In a suspension bunker, the combination of a frame-Work, aplurality of spaced block supporting members carried by said framework,and a plurality of concrete blocks supported by said spaced supportingmembers and forming the body of the bunker, the meet ing edges of saidblocks adapted to register with said spaced supporting members, thecontacting edges of said blocks adapted to overlap at the horizontaljoints and adapted to overlap and interlock at the Vertical joints, athreaded projection cast in each block, and a keeper plate having anopening for engagement by said projection and adapted to engage anadjacent block supporting member, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

DAVID M. RIFF.

